Apparatus for depositing filled paper cartons or containers



J. F. cELLA 2,957,287

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BY l ff l f Pulp/a Lb-.r ArroR/vfrs' United States Patent 1 APPARATUS FOR DEPOSITING FILLED PAPER CARTONS OR 'CONTAINERS Joseph F. Cella, Bronxville, N.Y., assignor to Cella Machnery, Inc., New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Nov. 20, 1958, Ser. No. 776,162

9 Claims. (Cl. 53-64) This invention relates to apparatus for depositing filled paper cartons or containers, such as those employed for containing milk and other liquids, into crates or cases. This application is a continuation-in-part of application Serial No. 602,885, iiled August 8, 1956.

The objects of the original application were as follows:

A carton or paper container particularly adapted for handling by the described apparatus is one which may be provided at the top with a centrally positioned upstanding ilange. In the described apparatus, means are provided for grippingly engaging a plurality of the cartons by these anges and holding them suspended, and lowering the cartons thus suspended down into crates located in position to receive them, and then releasing the cartons.

It is one of the objects of the invention to provide an apparatus, operative as above described, for speedily and accurately handling the filled cartons or containers and depositing a predetermined number of the cartons in an upright position in each crate.

It is an object of the invention to provide means by which a predetermined number of the lled cartons will be deposited in an upright position in each of the crates.

In presenting the new subject matter forming the basis for this continuation-in-part application, certain additional objects are intended. These objects are as follows:

Another object of the invention is the provision of means which will compact the suspended cartons together and prevent bulging thereof at the time of their suspended introduction into an awaiting case.

Another object is the provision in a carton gripping head of means for compacting together a group of cartons gripped by the head and guiding such compacted group into an awaiting crate.

Another object of the invention is the provision of improved case-positioning mechanism for holding the case in a carton-receiving position.

Primarily, because of the diiculty in introducing the carton aps or flanges between each pair of cooperating carton-gripping jaws by means of which the cartons are gripped when only one jaw moves, as was the design of the head disclosed in the original application, another object of the invention is the provision of a carton-gripping head in which both jaws will move to a carton-receiving position and will thereafter close upon the upstanding ap or ange of a carton disposed between the jaws.

Certain features of the machine disclosed in this application are readily adaptable, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, to machines for handling containers other than by gripping an upstanding flap or ange at the top of the containers.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein illustrative embodiments of the invention are disclosed:

Fig. 1 is a top plan View of the apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is an end view of the apparatus, with parts in section, looking at the same from the left of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a sectional View, taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Fig. 3, looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 6 shows the box-aligning device in its engaged position against a box or crate in position to receive its loading of cartons;

Fig. 7 is a similar view showing the box or crate being raised to a position where it is about to engage the aligning device;

Fig. 8 is a view at right angles to Fig. 6, with parts in section;

Fig. 9 is a top plan view of the plunger, with its upper portion or cover removed to disclose construction;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 1l is a top fragmentary view of a modified form of the machine looking down upon the carton-marshaling station at the entry side of the carton-gripping station;

Fig. l2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 12--12 of Fig. ll and showing the carton-gripping head during the descent thereof to deposit a caseload of cartons in an awaiting case;

Fig. 13 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 13-13 of Fig. l2 and illustrating a modified and improved form of the case-positioning mechanism;

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 14--14 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 15--15 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 16--16 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 17 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 17-17 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 18 is a cross sectional view taken substantially on the line 18-18 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 19 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 19--19 of Fig. l1;

y Fig. 20 is an end view of the carton-gripping head looking in the direction of arrow 20 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 21 is a top View of the head shown in Fig. 20 with parts removed for clarity;

Fig. 22 is a side View of the carton-gripping head looking in the direction of arrow 22 in Fig. 20; and

Fig. 23 is a schematic Wiring diagram of the electrical circuits of the improved form of the machine shown in Figs. 11-12.

`ORIGINAL DISCLOSURE The type of caron or container 1 handled by the apparatus to be described, is the so-called square type made of paper or cardboard, usually wax-coated, and generally used for containing milk, fruit juices and other liquids. Such type of carbon or container is provided at the top with an upstanding turned-over flap that results in a flange 2 (Fig. 2) which, in the present apparatus, is used for engagement of the container and the lowering of it into position in the box or crate in which a number of the cartons or containers are simultaneously placed by the present apparatus.

Described brieily, the apparatus moves a line of the containers or cartons along a traveling belt to a position where successive rows of these cartons are pushed olf onto a slidable supporting plate, and in position below a reciprocating plunger. When a predetermined number of the rows of cartons are positioned below the plunger, jaws on the plunger close on the flanges of the cartons and grip the same; the slidable plate is withdrawn from below the cartons so that they are then wholly supported by the plunger. In the meantime, a crate or box has been moved into raised position directly below the plunger which then descends, lowers the cartons held by it into the crate and releases the same. The plunger then rises and the cartonfilled crateis lowered and removed.

Referring to the drawings, 3 indicates the conveyor belt by which a row of the cartons is carried, the cartons having been previously lled with liquid, and are carried in an upright position along on the conveyor belt toward the left as viewed in Fig. 1. The conveyor belt 3 extends about suitable rollers, one of which is carried on the driven shaft 4, which carries the sprocket 5 over which a drive chain 6 extends from a suitable electric motor drive; As the conveyor belt 3 carries the cartons toward the`left,'as viewed in Fig.v 1, the cartons are halted by a fixed stop plate 7 extending upwardly from a horizontal supporting plate'or table 8. Mounted for reciprocating slidable movement on the table 8 is a plunger herein re-` ferred to as a pusher plate 9, having guide rods 11 slidably guidedf'through the sleeves 10 mounted on the table 8 The pusher plate 9 `is provided with a piston rod 1'2 connected to a piston operative in hydraulic cylinder 13 mounted on the-table 8.A The operation of the hydraulic piston ,in cylinder 13 in one direction is controlled by an electric switch 14 having an actuating plate 15 positioned in an opening 14u (Fig. 3) in the stop plate or abutment 7 andi in the path of the cartons carried along by the conveyor ,'b'eilty 3f.V When the iirst carton in the row carried on the conveyor is halted by they abutment plate 7 and comes into Vcontact with the switch plate 15,' it will operate' the'eswitcph 14 to cause an electric circuit to become operativejto cause a solenoidy valve to create a flow of hydraulicffiuid through port 17 to move the piston in the hydraulic cylinder 13 and hence move the piston rodV 12 and pusher plate 9 attached thereto, toward the upper part of Fig. 1. Thus, a predetermined number of cartons then inra row on the conveyor in front of the pusher plate 9 will be urged by the pusher plate to a position below the plunger as shown in Fig. 2, the plunger being therein generally indicated at 25; In the embodiment shown,

live cartoons are simultaneously urged under the plunger by each Ystroke of the pusher plate 9. Since the length of Athe stroke of' the pusher plate 9 is constant, each'row of cartons as it is urged by the pusher plate, will contact and move the row which preceded it under the plunger, until the required number of rows of cartons necessary to till a box or crate will be positioned under the plunger 25.

As will be seen in Fig. 1, the pusher plate 9 is formed with a right-angled extension 21 which becomes disposed across the conveyor belt 3, while the pusher plateY is in its advanced position, the extension 21 forming a barrier to halt movement of the line of cartons then on the belt until the pusher plate 9 returns to its retracted position, or that shown in Fig. 1. After each forward or cartonmoving stroke of the pusher plate, it is retracted and such retracting movement is eifected by the hydraulic piston in cylinder 13, the piston being urged back by the yhydraulic iiuid entering through port 2Q, Vthe ilow thereof being controlled by a solenoid valve of conventional form operated by an electric circuit under the control of microswitch 19. Said switch 19 is provided with a roller 23 operatedby the cam 22. on the plate 21 when plate 9 reaches its advanced position.

As the cartons are moved by the pusher plate 9 to a position under the plunger 25, they move across and become positioned on a slidable supporting surface in the form of a horizontal plate 26. Said plate 26 is slidably reciprocated in guideways 2.7 provided on the table 8.

As will be seen in Fig. 2, the plate 26 has its under sur face provided with a clevis 2S pivotally connected at 3G, to one end of a link 29 which has its opposite end pivoted at 31 to one end of a piston rod 32. Piston rod 32 is connected to a piston contained in the hydraulic cylinder 33 mounted on a plate 34 forming Ypart of the framework of thevapparatus. It will be apparent from the Structure 4 described, that the plate 26 may thus be positioned either directly below the piston 2S to thereby support the cartons that have been moved by pusher plate 9 to a point below the piston, or else may be drawn from below the plunger, and cartons below the plunger, to allow the cartons then gripped and supportedby the plunger 25 to be lowered into Ya box or crate then positioned below the plunger. The reciprocating movements ofthe piston in hydraulic cylinder 33 are controlled by an electric circuit, of which the two micro-switches shown at V36 and 58V form a part. The switch shown at 36 controls the forward movement of the plate 25 to its carton-supporting position. That is to say, when the plunger 25 reaches its elevated position, as yshown in Fig.l 2, a block 37 carried on top of the plunger 25 contacts the roller 38 of the switch and operates the switch. The switch 36 is mounted in a stationary position on the upper end of one of the guide posts 39 on which the piston is vertically reciprocable.

. The switch shown yat 58 is mounted on the headV of the plunger 25 and inV addition to operating means for retracting the plate 26 to non-supporting position,` this switch also controls means for`maintainingV the pusher plate 9 in its advanced position during descent and rise of-the plunger. Y. Y

When the plate 26 is -in its advanced or cartonsupporting position, lugs 4i), provided on the bottom of the plate, ride up on cams 41 located in the guides 27 (see Fig. 2) and this slightly elevates the plate. When the plate 26 starts its 'retracting movement towardthe right in Fig. 1, the plate lowers slightly and is thus prevented from lfrictionally scraping across the bottoms of the cartons that are at that time engaged by the flanges 2 by the gripping jaws of the plunger 25 now to be described in detail.

The plunger is more clearly shown in Figs. 2, 9, and

l0, wherein it will be seen that it includes a frame 4?. containing 4a plurality of spaced-apart fixed jaws orl grippers 43, extending across the frame, and a plurality of cooperating movable or pivotal jaws 44. .Thug Va flange 2 at the top of acarton isV gripped between one of the movable jaws 44 and one Vof the fixed jaws 43, as will be apparentY from Fig. 2. It will be understood that each of the jaws .is of a length to enable a xed and movable jaw to simultaneously grip all of the cartons in one row. Therefore, as seen in Fig. 2, each pair of cooperating jaws 43 and 44 will grip all of thecartons in each of the ve rows positioned below the plunger. Each of the movable jaws 44 is pivoted at 45, and carries an arm 46 pivotally attached to a bar 47. The two bars 47, employed as clearly shown in Figs. 9 and l0,V are-connected or vcoupled together by the crossl bracket. 4.8, provided with the clevis 49 Vpivotally connected to one end of a link 59, the opposite end of the link being pivotally connected to a clevis 51 at the end of a .piston rod 52 connected to apiston reciprooable in a hydraulic cylinder 53. The cylinder 53 is supported-and carried by the plunger head and its operation in closing the movable jaws 44 is controlled by an electric circuit including the Switch shown at 54. Said switch 54 -is operated by a `iinger 55 having an end portion 56 normally located in the path of the cartons that are moved to positionbelow the plunger 25. That is to. say, when the required number of cartons is posi.- tioned below the plunger, the cartons in the first row, or those closest to the ringer 55, will ycontact the-iinger, as shown in Fig. lt", and cause it to Iclose `circuit through the switch 514. Through a 'suitable solenoid valve, this will cause the-pistonin cylinder 5 3 to be moved toward the left as viewed inFig,v 2, and cause the. movable jaws 44 to be swung toward' the fixed jaws- 43 thus causing the cartonV flanges 2 to be gripped between the several pairs of jaws. As piston rod 52 moves toward the left as above described, a bracket 5 6 carried by it will contact Vthe roller 57 of the switch 58 causing said switch to close circuit to a solenoid valve controlling' the hydraulic ow to the cylinder 33, whereupon the piston -in said cylinder will become operative to move the plate 26 from under the cartons then supported by the plunger, the plate 26 being thus moved to the right as viewed in Fig. 1. The cartons, being now grippingly supported by the jaws `of the plunger, are in position to be carried downwardly'by the plunger and deposited into a box or crate then positioned below the plunger. Y

The plunger is provided with an upper housing 96 including an arm 91 that is ,vertically guided on the posts 39, 92, and 93 which are xed 'in the frame ofl the machine. The descent 'and rise of the plungerv 2,5 is attained by means of a hydraulic cylinder shown at'94, the piston rod 95 thereof being'connected to the plunger arm 91. tion of the piston in cylinder 94 controlled by a conventional solenoid valve in an electric -circuit in which the switch shown at 96 is included. The roller 97 of switch 96 is in position to be engaged by a cam 98 (Fig. 2) on the bottom of plate 26, when the plate reaches its retracted position and is out of the path of descent of the plunger 25. Thus, when switch 96 is operated as above described, the plunger 25, carrying the cartons gripped by rthe anges 2, can `descend to place the catrtons in the crate then positioned below the plunger. When the plunger, carrying its load `of cartons as above described, reaches its lowest point of descent, the movable jaws 44 are swung to open position, thus releasing the cartons and allowing them to be received by the crate. The movement of the jaws 44 to Open position is carried out by the hydraulic cylinder 53 under control of a switch 35. The switch 35 is located in the path of a projecting bracket 99 carried by the cylinder head and said bracket operates the switch at the proper time to cause opening of the jaw and the resultant release of the cartons.

The crates 65 to be successively positioned below the plunger 25 are moved along supporting rails 60 and 61, between the guard rails 62, by means of the continuously moving chain 63, riding in the channel bar 64. These crates are preferably of wood or metal, or combinations of these materials, but might also be of corrugated cardboard. In Fig. 4 one of the crates, or that shown at 65a, is in carton-receptive position, positioned directly below the plunger 25. As each crate is moved along by the chain 63, it enters between a fixed guide rail shown at 66, and an opposite, resiliently mounted guide rail shown at 67. The latter guide rail is resiliently mounted by means of the springs 68 interposed between the telescoping parts 69 and 70, the parts 69 being carried by the guide rail 67, and the parts 70 being xedly mounted on the support 71 `forming a part of the machine frame 72. When the crate to be filled reaches the station indicated at 65a where it is to receive the cartons upon lowering movement of the plunger 25, the forward end wall of the carton cornes into contact with a pivoted ringer 73 as shown in Fig. 4, which, on its pivotal movement under pressure of the Wall of the crate against it, contacts the roller 74 of the switch 75 thus causing said switch to close an electrical circuit operative upon a conventional solenoid valve, the operation thereof controlling the movements of -a piston in a hydraulic cylinder 76. The piston rod 77 connected to the piston in said cylinder 76, is attached to a bar 78 provided at its opposite ends with the stops indicated at 79 and Si). When the piston rod 77 is projected in a direction out of the cylinder 76, the stops 79 and 80 will embrace the crate and tend to straighten or line it up in properly registered position with respect to the plunger 25 located above it. At the same time, the following crates will be halted, not only by the stop 80, but bythe pivoted toggle S1, provided at one end with the head 82 which enters between the first crate 65a The plunger is caused to descend by opera-' 5i and the following one, or that indicated at 65h, thus slightly tilting or angularly positioning the second crate, this action being facilitated by the finger 83 provided on the guide rails 62. The toggle 81 has its second arrn 84 provided with a roller 85 operative against the side wall `of the crate to also aid in maintaining the crate properly positioned for filling.

When the crate to be filled is positioned below the plunger 25 as above described, it is located above an elevator by which it is raised as indicated in dotted lines -in Fig. 3. The elevator 100 is supported by the piston rod 101 connected to a piston in the hydraulic cylinder 102, the elevator being guided in its raising and loweringV movement by its bosses 103 slidable on the guide rods 104. The operation of the hydraulic cylinder is controlled by a suitable solenoid of known character controlled by an electric circuit of which the switch 54 forms a part. That is to say, when switch 54 is operated bycontact of itstinger 56 with the first row of cartons under the plunger, the elevator will be raised by operation of the hydraulic cylinder to the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 and supported in such raised position while the cartons are deposited into the crate by the descent of the plunger land release of the cartons by it.

When the crate is elevated as above described, its upper edge will contact with la spring-pressed roller and will deflect the roller to allow a foot 111 to come .into contact 'with the top edge of the crate. The foot 1111 is formed as part of a plunger 112 which is spring-pressed by the coil spring 1113 contained in a housing 114. 'Ihe housing 114 is pivotally attached at 115 at the end of an arm of la bell crank 11-6, mounted on the iixed pivot 1=17. The second arm of the bell crank 116, indicated at 118, is formed with a clevis in which a roller 1211 is rotatably mounted at 120.

The -above described arrangement and its operation is clearly shown in Figs. 6, 7, `and 8. In Fig. 7 the crate is shown in its ascending movement and its upper edge about to contact with the roller 11i). As this edge of the crate contacts with the roller 110, the roller is deflected to allow the foot 111 to come into contact with the top edge of the crate as shown in Figs. 6 and 8. This contact tends to swing the bell crank on its pivot i117, bringing the roller 121 `against that side -Wall of the crate that is positioned at right angles to the wall contacted by roller 110. This arrangement is such that the box is lined up while on the elevator, assuring its proper position with respect to the plunger and the cartons carried thereby so that the cartons will be accurately placed in the crate.

When the cartons reach a position close to the bottom of the crate, the jaws 44 are opened and the cartons released to rest on the bottom of the crate. The elevator 100 now descends carrying the illed crate, and upon its descent it contacts a switch shown at 122 which is effective in an electric circuit to cause piston rod 77 to be retracted and the stop member 79 thus drawn out 'of the path of the now lowered and lled crate which may then be carried by chain 63 to a point of unloading.

From the foregoing, the operation of he described apparatus will be understood. The iilled cartons are carried along on the conveyor 3 until the rst carton in the row on the conveyor reaches the stop 7 where it is halted and where it actuates switch 14. This causes pusher plate 9 to move tive of the cartons 1 toward the plunger 25 and under the plunger. The actuation of switch 19 by cam 22 causes retraction of the pusher plate and when another carton in the row on the conveyor reaches the abutment 7 and actuates the switch 14 a second row of ve cartons will be pushed by the pusher plate 9 to position under the plunger. The second row, thus urged forwardly by the pusher plate, will lslide the row previously advanced further under the plunger. This is repeated until the required number of rows of cartons has been positioned under the plunger. When this occurs, oneofthe carsons in the row first positioned under the'plunger, will contact switch 'linger 56 as shown in Fig. l0, and this will actuate the switch 54 and cause the movable jaws 44 to cooperate with the fixed jaws 43 in gripping thev flanges 2 of the cartons then located under the plunger. operate to hold the pusher plate 9 in its advanced position so that its side portion 21 Vwill block the conveyor and cartons on the conveyor will be held against movement. Switch 54 is also operative to raise the elevator 100 so that the crate 65a then under the plunger, will be elevated as previously described. As the pistn rod52 moves in a direction to close the movable jaws 44,'

the bracket 56 Vcarried by it will actuate switch 58, causing plate 26 to be retracted from below the plunger so that the plunger 25 will then be free to descend into the crate with its load of cartons. As plate 26 moves to its retracted position or out of the path of plunger 25, its cam 98 willcontact switch 96 land actuate the same to cause lowering of the plunger. When the plunger reaches its lowered position, bracket 99 will contact switch 35 and actuate thesame to cause the movable jaws 44 to be moved to open position, so that the cartons Will thereupon be released by the jaws and can come to rest within the crate. The filled crate Vis then lowered by the elevator A100 and as this is done, the elevator, contacting with the switch 122, will cause the stop' 79 to -be drawn out of the path of the filled crate so that the filled crate can be carried away by the chain.

When the plunger releases the cartons into the crate, the contact between the cartons and the finger 6 is lost, and the switch 54 isthen actuated in a manner to cause operation of the piston in cylinder 94 to elevate the plunger to its Vraised position and retain it in such position until it is `again charged with a load of cartons.

When the plunger reaches its raised position as above described, the block 37 is brought into contact with the roller 38 constituting part of the switch 3'6 which closes circuit in a manner to operate the piston in cylinder33 and cause the plate 26 to be Iadvanced, or brought to carton-supporting position beneath the plunger 25. When the plate 26 reaches this advanced position, a cam '135 on its under side actuates a switch 136 which closes an electrical circuit to cause switch 19 to then become effec, tive and close circuit to cause piston in cylinder 13 to 4retract the pusher plate 9 and bring the extension 21 out of the path of the conveyor and the cartons carried thereon. This enables the cartons on the conveyor to be 'again moved to the left, as viewed 4in Fig. 1, until the first carton in the line on the conveyor 3 reaches the abutment plate 7 Iand contacts the switch plate 15 to begin the cycle of operations just described.

. Y Additional disclosure The machine shown in lFig. ll at seq. is an improvement upon the machine heretofore described in a number of respects, one of which is that it is capable of marshaling a full caseload of cartons while a previously marshaled caseload is being deposited in an awaiting case. This increases the machines eficiency because, as

soon as the plunger or carrier has returned to its starting or carton-receiving position, the newly marshaled caseloadV can be pushed as a complete unit into position beneath the plunger and thereafter deposited in an awaiting case. There is no need for any delay as occasioned by the original embodiment heretofore described where one row at a time is pushed olf the infeed conveyor 3 and onto the retractible table 26, withthe case-filling stroke of the plungerV being withheld until the table is full. This particular advantage is attained by providing a'carton-marshaling station or area A, see Fig. 1l, adjacent the plunger or carrier capable Vof holding a full caseload ofcartons with a pusher 9a operable -to ll the area with a caseload while simultaneously a previous caseload Switch 54, being thus actuated, will is being deposited by the plunger in an awaiting case, with the pusher operable Yto move the marshaled caseload as a unit beneath the plunger as soon as the plunger has returned toits carton-receiving` position. For convenience, rthe retractible door 26 and the area thereabove is referred to hereinafter as the transfer station. The

carrier or plunger grips, the containers in the transferv station for transfer to an awaiting case.

The improved machine is of basically the same construction as that heretofore described except as specified hereinafter. The infeed conveyor, instead of comprising one belt,includes two belts 3a and 3b, see Fig. ll.

While one belt might be employed, a two-belt conveyorY allows the machine to operate faster and reduces the number of strokes of the pusher in order to assemble a caseload of cartons. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art following this description that more than two belts might be providedY to increase Vto an even greater extent the machinesV eticiency. A pair of normally closed electric'backing switches LS-11 (only one of which is shown in Fig. 23 to represent both), one adjacent each belt and each provided with a carton-actuated arrn 142, serves to sense a backlog of cartons on the belts for purposes hereinafter described. I'he extension 9b of the pusher 9a which extends across the belts` 3a and 3b serves as a gate preventing cartons on belts 3a and 3b from entering the marshaling area while the pusher is in the extended position.

The infeed belts 3a and 3b deliver the cartons to the carton-marshaling station generally indicated as A with.

the belts comprising substantially one-half the floor space of the station and the table 8a between the inboard belt` 3b and the retractible table 26 comprising the balance of the floor space. The general outline of such marshaling area is defined by the wall 1-44, the pusher 9a when in V the retracted position shown in Fig. 1l, and the dotted lines 146 and Y148. Such area is substantially the same as that occupied by a grouped caseload of cartons. Cartons on the conveyor belts are indicated at C1.

As conveyor belts 3a and 3b deliver cartons C1 to the marshaling station, the leading cartons of the twov rows entering the area actuate a pair of electric switches LS-3 and LS-13 mounted on table 8a as switches 14 heretofore mentioned and electrically connected together in series to a time delay relay TR-Z (see Fig. 23). The relay waits a short interval to ensure that two full rows of cartons are in front of pusher 9a and then energizes, through closure of TR-2, a solenoid-operated valve, solenoid 3-B, controlling admission to a fluid pressure cylinder similar to cylinder 13 shown in Fig. l causing piston rod 12a to be extended, moving pusher 9a across the conveyor belts and in turn sweeping the cartons 0E the belts and `onto that portion of table 8a between the inboard belt 3b and the retractible table 26. When the cartons reach the positions indicated as C2, LS7 is actuated by the cartons serving to de-energize solenoid 3-B and close the valve admitting fluid pressure to the pusher cylinder and the pusher stops moving. that the cartons swept from the two belts by the pusher 9a is equivalent to two full case rows of cartons.

Switches LS-1-1 are termed backlog switches because they only allow the pusher 9a to retract from its extended position after a determined backlog of cartons builds up on belts 3a and 3b outside of the marshaling area upstream of the pusher extension 9b. The switches LS- 11 are spaced upstream of conveyor belts 3a and 3b by a distance such that a full case row of cartons may be ldisposed on each belt between the pusher extension 9b and the switches. In practice it is preferable to so position switches LS-11 that not only will a full case row of cartons be disposed upstream of the pusher extension 9b on each belt between it and the switches, but also a few additional cartons such as 2 or 3. In

other words, with the pusher in the extended position It will be noted j assise? and with its extension 9b blocking the entry of cartons on belts 3a and 3b from entering the marshaling area, the pusher will not be allowed to retract until a case row of cartons plus two builds up on each belt. With this backlog created, the pusher will then retract.

Normally closed switches LS-11 are electrically connected, as shown in Fig. 23, with a time delay relay rI'R-3, whereby the switches must be held open by cartons for a determined length of time before they are operative to cause the retraction of the pusher, it being understood that a carton passing by the switches and actuating the switch arms will serve to momentarily open the switches. When the time interval of relay 'fR-3 expires, it serves to energize solenoid valve 3A connected to one end of the pusher cylinder to pressurize the cylinder and cause pusher 9a to retract to the position shown in Fig. 11.

Thereafter, and independently of whether the caseload beneath the plunger is deposited in an awaiting case, marshaling area A is again lled with cartons as before described. Once area A is full of cartons, pusher 9a will not be extended to push the caseload beneath the plunger unless the retractible table is ready to receive cartons.

It is now apparent that the improved embodiment is capable of marshaling one caseload of cartons whi-le another caseload is being deposited in an awaiting case. As a result, both the efficiency and the capacity of the machine are increased.

As mentioned, the pusher will remain in this position until the backlog switches LS-11 indicate that there is a backlog of cartons between portion 9b of the pusher and switches LS-11 consisting of two full case rows of cartons plus two, at which time the pusher will retract to its starting position. With the pusher retracted, cartons on belts 3a and 3b over again enter the marshaling area and the leading cartons contact switches LS-3 and 11S-13. Now the marshaling area is completely lled and the caseload is ready to be pushed onto the table 26, provided the table 26a is in a carton-receiving position. I-f table 26 is in a carton-receiving position, switch LS-6 will be held closed by the table. LS-6 corresponds to switch 136 shown in Pig. 1. With LS6 closed, and switches LS-3 and LS13 also closed, the plunger is extended to push the entire caseload onto the retractible table Vand beneath the plunger. On this stroke the plungers movement is not interrupted by switch LS-7 as occurred on the first stroke because LS-7, though open, is bypassed by switch LS-6 as shown in Fig. 23. Therefore the plunger continues to move and sweeps the entire caseload onto the retractible table. As the cartons reach their fully loaded positions on the table, pusher 9a by an oset switch tripper 145 mounted on the pusher and extending through a slot (not shown) in wall 144, closes switch LS-14 mounted on the machine frame. As shown in Fig. 23, closure of LS-14 energizes time delay relay TR-4, which in turn, through the switches 'FR-4, serves to cut olf uid pressure to the pusher cylinder and energize solenoid l-B to cause hydraulic cylinder 53 to actuate the carton-gripping jaws to grip the cartons. Upon gripping the cartons LS-9 is tripped (corresponding to switch 58 of Fig. 1) causing retraction of the table. The plunger will now deposit the cartons if a case is properly disposed in a carton-receiving position.

It will be noted that the stroke of piston rod 12a in this embodiment is of two different lengths. One length, the shorter one, is sufficient only to push two rows of cartons olf belts 3a and 3b to the positions C2, While the longer stroke is suliicient to push the enti-re caseload of cartons `ont-o the restractible table 126a.

`In order to ensure each caseload of cartons properly enters a case positioned to receive it, the cartons are compacted together as a grouped caseload while they are gripped at their tops by the carrier head of the plunger. Because the cartons are formed of paper or the like and are liquid lled, and because the paper is relativelythin, the cartons are subject to bulging. While the tops of the cartons are compacted together by virtue of their suspension from the carrier, they are -free to spread apart at the bottom because of the flexibility of the aps 2 by which they are gripped. This spreading apart of the cartons at the bottom frequently results in the bottoms catching on the upper edges of a case Waiting to receive them; or if the cases are made suiiiciently large to receive the cartons there is considerable sloppiness of the load in the case once the `cartons have been released. Unless the sides of the case serve to support the sides of the cartons once they have been deposited in the case, subsequent transport of the case and the accompanying jarring thereof will tend to cause the cartons to bulge even more and leaky cartons will result. Preferably the cases should be so sized relative to the caseload of cartons that the cartons as a group, upon release of their suspension from the plunger head, will bulge only slightly and contact the walls of the case to be supported thereby, with the caseload fairly tightly fitting within .the case.

To prevent bulging of the cartons suspended from the carrier from enlarging the grouped caseload suiciently so that it catches on the upper edges of an awaiting case, to prevent a bulging caseload from scraping against the sides of a case and giving rise to possible puncturing of cartons at the sides of the caseload, and in order to allow a caseload of cartons to be tightly packed within an awaiting case, the caseload is received by compacting means which compacts the caseload of cartons together, prevents bulging thereof, and serves to guide the caseload into an awaiting case. Such compacting means includes a three-walled boxlike enclosure having side wall portions 160, 162, and 164, and a pivoted wall portion of guide 166. Wall portions 160, 162, and 164 are in the form of skirts or thin metal plates depending from the carrier head or plunger 25a as shown in Figs. l2, 19, and 22. These wall portions or skirts may comprise a single sheet of metal bent at 166 and 168 and secured as by screws or the like 170 to the head. At the carton entry side of the compacter, skirts and 164 are tapered at the edges as at 172 in order that the cartons are quided into the space between the walls 16!) and 164. In order to facilitate the guiding of the cartons into the compacter, as well as prevent the overtravel of cartons being pushed to the C2 positions, by the iirst or shorter stroke of the plunger 9a, a spring-loaded guide member 176 mounted on plate 8a and shown in Pig. ll extends between conveyor side wall 178 and a point closely adjacent the edge 172 of skirt 164.

Compacter skirts 16), 162, and 164 extend downwardly from the carton-gripping head 25a to a point just above the retractible floor 26 when the carrier head is in the carton-receiving position. The skirts, as shown in Figs. 12, extend down alongside the cartons for approximately three-quarters of their vertical dimension. This will yallow the same skirts to be used 'for the deposit of smaller cartons, i.e., those having a lesser vertical dimension because they will allow the head to be disposed lower over the retr-actible table as well as permit the head to enter a case to a greater depth.

As the carrier head descends following retraction of floor 26, the lower edge of that row of cartons adjacent pivoted guide 166 strikes the guide and pivots it from the dotted outline to the solid outline position shown in Fig. l2. It will be noted that guide is received within the upper edge of an awaiting case so that the lower edges of the `cartons adjacent the guide lare guided into the case as shown in Fig. l2, The guide is springloaded and normally held in the dotted outline position. The spring forth the guide is indicated at 180 and is connected thereto in any suitable fashion. The guide com'- prises an elongate strip of metal extending-"throughout substantially the entire length of a caseload of cartons 11 and is mounted for pivotal movement upon a rod: supported at opposite ends in brackets 182 and 184 mounted on the frame of the machine. Pivoted guide 166 together wtih skirts 160, 162, and 164 guide the caseload of cartons into the awaiting crate.

Because it is desirable to keep the wall thickness of skirts 160, 162, and 164 to a minimum, skirts 160 and 164 are subject to outward deflection at their lower edges because of the outward pressure of the cartonscontained therebetween. To prevent this outward .deection I have provided bearing blocks or the like. 186, 188, and 190, shown in Figs. 11 and 19, mounted inE any suitable fashf ion, as by angle brackets 192'and 1'94, .on the frame-Gf the machine and against which the skirts 160 and 164 bear during downward movement into an awaiting crate; Bearing blocks 186, 188, and 1190 prevent the lower edges of skirts 160 and164 from deecting outwardly under the pressure of the compacted caseload of cartons and prevent the lower edges of such skirts from. catching. on the upper edges of an awaiting case. Such bearingfblocks may be provided with a nylon bearingface in order to reduce wear on the skirts. The two blocks 188 and 190 are provided rather than one continuous block as with block 186, in order to allowthe piston rod 32 of ram 33 operating the retractible table 26 to extend between the blocks.

As shown in Fig. 19 the blocks 186, 188, and 190 will serve to prevent outward deflection of the lower edges of the skirts prior to their entry within the top` of an awaiting case. Once the lower edges of the skirts have entered the top of the case, outward deection of the Vlower edges of the skirts will encounter the inner wall surfaces of the case and the case itself will guide the skirts. When the cartons 'suspendedfrom the carrier head near the bottom of the case, switch means described in connection with the original disclosure serve to cause the carrier to release the cartons with the carrier thereafter returning upwardly to its original position. As the carrier' ascends the skirts are withdrawn from between the caseload of cantons and the inner wall surfaces'of the case, and the caseload of cartons is'thereupon free to expand slightly to abut the inner wall surfaces of the case. lt has been .found that with the compacting means herein described,

a caseload of cartons may be deposited in an awaiting case more tightly than could such cartons be placed in the case by hand, a few cartons at a time.

It is apparent that with the use of the compacting skirts and their close intertting within the open upper end of an awaiting case, it is necessary to position the case very accurately and hold it in proper alignment with the downward movement of the carrier head so that the compacting skirts and the caseload of cartons will be received properly within the awaiting case. As pointed out in the original disclosure, a case elevator 100 is provided. This elevator is shown also in Figs. 13, 16, and 19. It is operable to elevate a case oit the case conveyor 63 and hold the case during the deposit of cartons therewithin, and thereafter lower the case back to the case conveyor, vfor transport out of the machine. The details of construction and operation of the case elevator need not be repeated at this point except to mention that the elevator includes a pair of Vflat plat-es 196 and 198 upon which a case is supported and upon which the case may be slidably shifted. Considering Figs. 13-15 and 19, it will be noted that cases enter the machine on the continuously operative conveyor 63 in the direction of arrow B with their movement being initially arrested, assuming a case is disposed upon the case elevator, by a case stop 200. Case stop 200 is mounted upon a rod 202 supported at opposite endsin brackets 204 and 206 secured in any suitable fashion tothe frame of the machine. Stop 200 is rotatableabout rod 202 and is actuated by a fluid pressure cylinder-piston combination 208 the lower end ofwhich is pivotally connected as. at

210 to the frameV of the machine withV the 'uppervr en'drof.

the combination pivotally connected yas at 212 to the stop. Upon extension of piston rod 214 the stop is moved to the solid outline position shown Vin Fig. 14 while upon retraction ofthe piston rod the stop is moved to the dotted outline position. The stop is generally L-shaped as shown and is provided with afcase-engaging ear 216 adapted to extend downwardly in front of either the leading upper edge of a case indicated at CS and prevent movement of the case on the conveyor or downwardly within a case to abut in the inner wall surface of the rear wall of the case. The ear 216V will extend down within the top of thecase'to engage the inner surface of the rear wall of the case ifthereis a solid line of cases on conveyor 63 in `end-to-end abutting relation.

In the event that no case is `disposed on the case elevator, the stop 200 is shifted to the dotted outline position to allow a case to pass over the elevator. As a case CS1 moves over the elevator, it intersects the beam of an electric eye unit PE', seeFig.. 23, which includes an exciter lamp L positioned within the machine at a location shown at 218 indotted outline in Fig. 13. The electric eye unit is of conventional construction and need not be described in detail. When thelight beam of theelectric eye is interrupted by the case CS1, the case stop cylinder 208 is pressurized by energization of solenoid 4-B by closure of switch PE-2 to move the stop 200 from the dotted to the solid outline position of Fig. 14, with the ear 216 extending down through the top of the succeeding case CS2. Solenoid 4-B is operatively connected. to a fluid pressure valve (not shown) controlling admission of iiuid pressure to the lower end of cylinder 208, whereby upon energization of solenoid 4-B, the cylinder is pressurized at the bottom to swing the stop as aforesaid.

Both cases CS1 and CS2 continue to travel until the rear wall of case CS2 comes up against ear 216 whereupon funther movement of such case is arrested. At about the time that movement of case CS2 is arrested by stop 200, elevator cylinder 102 raises the elevator to lift case CS1 olf the conveyor. Cylinders 102 and 208 are both controlled by the same valve which is operated by solenoid 4-B but there` is a ilow-control valve between such valve and cylinder 102 which delays the operation of cylinder 102. It is during this delay that the case stop 200 intercepts case CS2, arrests its movement, and allows case CS1 to continue moving so that a separation of approximately 1/2" occurs between cases CS1 and CS2 at the time CS1 is elevated.

As CS1 is elevated it is moved upwardly in :front of a case puller 220, which, together with a case presser 245 land stops 240 and 232, positions and holds. case CS1 in the proper carton-receiving position. The case puller 220 is mounted for slidable movement on rod 202. The case puller includes a dog 222 connected by a Vplate 224 to `the piston rod 226 of cylinder-piston combination 228 mounted on the frame of the machine. A coil spring or the like 230 encircles the piston rod 226 to yield- Vingly urge the dog 222 along rod 202 against the reaction ot the case. When the case has been elevated and is poistioned in front of the case puller, cylinder 228 is pressurized to move dog 222 against the case and slide the case along the elevator to a position abutting Ya casepositioning block 232 secured to the rod 202 as shown in Fig. 18.

A case presser 245, shown in Fig. 16,'and including a presser yarm 238, is adapted to shift the case CS1 laterally on the elevator and against a stop 240. The presser is suspended from the rod 202 and includes a bell crank arm 246 pivotally mounted on the rod 2012 with the arm 238 connected to the bell crank as shown in Pig. 16 and with the opposite end of the crank pivotally connected to the piston rod 254 received in cylinder 250, the latter being pivotally connected as at 252 to the frame of the machine. It is apparent that upon retrace tion of piston rod 254. to cylinder 250, the'presser arm 238 will bear` against' case' CS1 on the elevator and urge 13 rthe same against stop 240. Cylinder 250 is connected to the same uid pressure line supplying uid pressure to the puller cylinder 228 such that upon pressurization of cylinder 228 to pull case CS1 against the block 232, the presser cylinder 252 will also be pressurized to shift the case laterally.

Pivotally mounted on the stop 232, as shown in Fig. 17, is a switch actuating arm 234, adapted to close switch LS-2 mounted on the frame of the machine when case CS1 abuts the stop 232 pivoting the arm from the dotted to the solid outline position. Closure of switch LS-2, as shown in Fig. 23, and assuming switch LS-10 (corresponding to switch 96 in Fig. l) is closed by oor 26 being in the retracted position, the carrier or plunger fwill be allowed to descend to deposit its caseload of cartons in case CS1. Unless case CS1 has been shifted by the puiler against the stop 232, switch LS-2 will not be closed and therefore `the carrier will not descend to deposit its caseload. Because the presser cylinder 250 is connected in the same fluid pressure circuit as puller cylinder 228, there is assurance that the case will be moved laterally against stop 240 as well as against stop 232 so that lthe case will be properly positioned to receive the caseload of cartons from the carrier.

The caseload of cartons is released by the carrier closing switch LS-4 (corresponding to switch 35 shown in Fig. l) which, as shown in Fig. 23, causes energization of relay TR 1 in turn opening its enslaved switch TR-l to de-energize relay G and to `de-energize solenoid l-B which controls a valve admitting duid pressure to the carton-gripping cylinder 53 (shown in Fig. 1). Deenergization of relay G causes closing of its normally closed enslaved switch G resulting in energization of solenoid 1-A. Solenoid l-A controls operation of a uid pressure valve admitting Huid pressure to cylinder 53 causing such cylinder to shift the carton-gripping jaws in the open position releasing the cartons in the case. De-energization of .relay G also serves to open its switches G one of which, `as shown in Fig. 23, serves to de-energize relay C which in turn allows a normally closed enslaved relay switch C to close thereby energizing solenoid S-A. Solenoid 5-A controls admission of fluid pressure to the cylinder 94 to cause the piston rod 95 thereof (see Fig. 3) to be extended to raise the head away from case CS1. As the carrier reaches its elevated position, it closes switch LS-S (corresponding to switch 36 shown in Fig. l) which, as shown in Fig. 23, causes de-energization of relay TR-1 and the energization of solenoid 2A. Solenoid 2-A controls operation of the table cylinder 33 causing the cylinder to be pressurized to move table 26 -to its carton-supporting position, it serves to close LS-6 (corresponding to switch 136 shown in Fig. 1) and permitting the pusher to push another caseload of cartons onto the table beneath the carrier in preparation for a repeat cycle of the machine.

When TR1 is de-energized by the opening of LS-5, one of `its functions is to close its enslaved switch TR-l shown at the lower left-hand corner of Fig. 23 which causes energization of solenoid 4-A. Solenoid 4-A controls operation of the uid pressure valve admitting fluid pressure to the case-elevating cylinder 102 causing the cylinder to lower the case elevator 100 to deposit case CS1 back on the case conveyor which carries the case out of the machine. Solenoid 4-A also serves to reversely pressurize the puller cylinder 228 and the presser cylinder 250 to return the puller and the pressure to their starting positions. It also reversely pressurizes case stop cylinder 208 to raise the case stop ear 216 out of case CS2 to allow such case to enter the case-positioning station over the elevator. The machine is now ready to recycle.

The improved carton-gripping head is shown in Figs.

20-22, inclusive, and comprises a boxlike frame having end frame members 256 and side frame members 258 secured together at their meeting ends. The yboXlike frame is closed at the top as by a plate 260. Disposed within the frame and depending therefrom are a plurality of pairs of coacting cooperating carton-gripping jaws, each pair of jaws comprising jaw members 260 and 262. 'Each jaw is supported for movement toward and away from the opposite cooperating jaw to grippingly engage the iiap 2 of a carton disposed between the jaws. The jaws are retractible from the solid outline position shown in Fig. 2() to the dotted outline position and in such latter position receive the flap 2 of a carton as the carton moves over retractible table 26 along the length of the jaws. When the jaws close together, the flap is gripped therebetween. Each pair of jaws extends completely across the boxlike frame between the inner surfaces of the side walls 258. Each jaw is pivotally supported upon a pair of pivot pins 264 as shown in Fig. 22 received Within opposite ends of the opposite jaw and within the side frame members 258. Each jaw of each pair is connected for simultaneous operation with a similar jaw of each other pair. Upstanding from each of the jaws 260 are a pair of rigid earlike portions 266 and 268. Upstanding from each jaw 262 of each pair are a pair of rigid portions 270 and 272. Pivotally connected as by pivot pins 274 to each of the ears 272 of each of the jaws 262 is an actuating bar 276. To each of the ears 268 of each of the jaws 260 of each pair is pivotally connected by pivot pins 278 an actuating bar 280. In similar fashion bars 282 and 284 are connected to the ears 266 and 270 of each of the jaws of each pair. The pivot pins are secured against rotation within the ears 266, 268, 270, and 272 as by set screws or the like 286 and are pivotally received within the actuating bars.

Extending lengthwise of the boxlike frame of the carton-gripping head and disposed between the actuating bars 276, 280 and 282, and 284 are a pair of cranksupporting members 288 and 290 each secured at opposite ends as by screws or the like 292 to the end frames 256 of the head. Extending transversely of the head and securing at opposite side frames 258 thereof as by screws or the like 294 is a rigidifying member 296 to which the crank-supporting members 288 and 290 are connected as at 298. Pivotally mounted on each of the members 288 and 290 are a pair of cranks or levers 300 and 302. These cranks or levers are secured to the members 288 and 290 by upstanding pins 384 upon the upper ends of which may be threaded retaining nuts 306 as shown in Fig. 20.

To open and close the jaws a fluid pressure cylinder similar to cylinder 53 of Fig. 1 is mounted on plate 260 and indicated at 53a. The piston rod 52a of cylinder 53a is pivotally connected as at 308 to an actuating link 310 in turn pivotally supported between a pair of blocks, one of which is indicated at 312 in Fig. 20. The blocks are secured to the underside of plate 260 as by screws or the like 314 and the link 310 is pivoted between the blocks on a pin 316. The lower end of link 310 is bifurcated with the bifurcations 318 and 320 received over a pin 322 secured at opposite ends within the actuating bars 280 and 282. It is now apparent that upon pressurization of cylinder 53a to move piston rod 52a in either an extended or retracted direction, link 310 will be pivoted in turn moving actuating ybars 280 `and 282 and through the levers 300 and 302 the bars 276 and 284. This motion will serve to open and close the jaws 260 and 262 of each pair depending upon the direction in which piston rod 52u is moved.

It will be noted in Fig. 20 that when jaws 260 and 262 are opened to the position shown `in dotted outline, cartons will be free to slide across the retractible table 26 with the flaps 2 free to enter the space between the open jaws Without danger of the flaps catching on one or the other of the jaws of each pair. With the embodiment of the plunger head shown in the original disclosure only one of the jaws was capable of movement, which gave rise to the possibility that the stationary jaw would `catch the flaps 2 as the cartons moved across the retractible table with the flaps entering the space between the jaws. The embodiment just described and shown in Figs. 20 and 21 obviates this possibility.

What I claim is:

l. In a machine for depositing articles in cases: means for holding a case in an article-receiving position, an article-marshaling station, an article-transfer station in article-receiving relation adjacent the marshaling station, means for transferring articles from the transfer station downwardly through such station into a case held in an article-receiving position, aV retractible -tloor in the transfer station upon which articles in the station rest prior to transfer by said transfer means, an article conveyor for delivering a line of articles to the marshaling area, pusher mechanism independent of said retractible Hoor and operable at right angles to the line of articles to marshall the line into successive rows and group the rows into a caseload of articles in the marshaling station in front of the pusher, means coupled with the pusher mechanism and responsive to an empty condition of the transfer station with the retractibie iioor in an articlesupporting position to cause the mechanism to push as a unit a marshaled caseload of articles into the transfer station and upon the retractible iioor, and said pusher mechanism operable independent of the presence or absence `of articles in the transfer station to marshal another caseload of articles in the marshaling station for pushing to the transfer station when the latter is again empty.

2. In a machine for depositing articles in cases: a casesupporting station, an article transfer station disposed directly above the case-supporting station and having a retractible article-supporting floor for supporting articles moved into the transfer station, a carrieroperable to grip at lthe top articles supported on said iioor and transfer the articles downwardly through the transfer station to a case in the case-supporting station, means coupled with the carrier and with said floor to cause retraction of the floor following gripping of the containers, an articlem-arshaling station for holding a caseload of articles, said transfer station disposed in article-receiving relation adjacent the marshaling station, conveyor means for delivering articles to the marshaling station, marshaling means independent of said retractable article-supporting tioor for marshaling articles delivered to the marshaling station into a caseload in the marshaling station and transferring each caseload -as a group unit to the transfer station for support by the retractible floor prior to gripping by the carrier.

3. In a machine for depositing in cases filled semi-rigid containers susceptible to lateral bulging and having means at their tops whereby each can be gripped for suspended transfer: a transfer station having means for supporting articles of the aforesaid character in a standing position in the station, a carrier rabove the station having cooperating article-gripping members for gripping at the tops a caseload of the containers in the station, skirt-like means depending from the carrier and substantially enclosing and compacting together a caseload of containers in the transfer station beneath the carrier, a case-positioning station, said carrier shiftable vertically toward a case in the case-positioning station with said skirt-like means entering the case between the sides thereof and the caseload of containers suspended from the carrier to guide the containers in shoehorn fashion downwardly in the case, means coupled with the gripping means and with the carrier to cause the gripping means to release the articles in the case and cause the carrier to ascend out of the case.

4. In a machine for depositing in cases filled semirigid' containers susceptible'tolateral bulging and having means at their tops whereby each can be gripped for suspended transfer: a transfer station having means for supporting articles of the aforesaid character in a standing position in the station, a carrier above thestation having four sides and cooperating Varticle-'gripping membersY for gripping at the tops a caseload of the containers in the station, compacting means secured tothee sides of thercarrier and depending `from the carrier at three sides of a caseload of containers' suspended from the carrier and extending inititially downwardly in overlying relation with the sides of the caseload throughout the major portion of the vertical height of the caseload and compacting the caseload together and shiftable with the carrier, means operative adjacent the fourth and open side of the carrier to urge a caseload of containers laterally beneath thecarrier and into the enclosure formedk by said compacting means atY three sides of the carrier, a cass-positioning station, said carrier shiftable vertically toward a case in the case-positioning station, withy said compacting means depending from the carrier entering the case between the sides thereof Vand the caseload of containers suspended from the carrier to guide the containers in shoehorn fashion downwardly in the case, and means coupled with the gripping means and with the carrier and operable to cause release of the caseload in the case and retraction of'the carrier upwardly out of the case. Y Y

5. In a machine for depositing liquid-iilled cartons in Cases: -a case-supporting station, a cartion transfer station, a carrier operable between the stations to transfer cartons from the transfer station to a case in the case-supporting station, said carrier including ineansnfo'r gripping each carton `at its top for suspended transfer and introduction into an awaiting case, compacting means secured to and depending from the carrier and open at one side and enclosing a caseload of cartons gripped by the gripping' means at the remaining three sides andv compacting the caseload together, and means operable adjacent the transfer station to move cartons into the station through the open side of the compacting means, and said compacting means shiftable with the carrier and insertable in an awaiting case in the case-supporting station-between the sides of the case Vand the case-load of cartons as the carrier moves toward the case to guide the' caseload thereinto;

6. in a machine for depositing liquid-filled cartons in cases: a case-supporting station, a cartontra'nsfer station, a carrier operable between the stations and vertically above the case-supporting station totransferv cartons from the transfer station to a case in the case-Supporting station, said carrier including means for gripping each carton' at its top for suspended transfer and introduction into an awaiting case in the case-supporting station,A compacting means secured to and depending from the carrier and open -at one side and extending downwardly alongside a caseload of containers throughout substantially thevertical height of the easeload'and enclosing thecaseload of cartons gripped by the gripping means atther'emaining three sides and compacting the caseload together, means pivotally supported adjacent the'top of the case-supporting station and atthat sidev thereof adjacent the open side of the compacting means and adapted to be pivoted down into a case supportedin the case-supporting station during descent of a case-load of cartons-suspended'from the carrierl and cooperable with the'compacting means to guide theV caseload into the carton, and means operable adjacent the transfer station to move cartons into the station through the open side of the compacting'means.

7. `In a'machine for depositing articles in cases: an article-accumulating station, a case-supporting station, a carrier' operable between the stations to transfer articles from the transfer station to a case in the case-'supporting station, said case-supporting station including a case conveyor for delivering cases to and removing cases from such station, a case elevator in the case-supporting station and provided with a case-supporting surface, means re- 

